Father's Day in Heaven

We're missing you much dad
And all the good times we had
Your words I'll always remember
And our moments together

We now just have pictures
We're Imagining your gestures
You were so strong and tough
But you sure knew how to laugh

Who I am and what I do today
I say thanks for showing the way
Pray for us when we weaken
Oh my dear father in heaven

I just wish there was more time
To say these words of mine
In spirit I hope you'll know
That I love you dad, I love you so."

Happy Father's Day.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Forever Grateful

We have one life to live
Oh Lord teach us to give
Your graces we receive
For in You we believe

Our prayers we lift on high
Oh Lord do hear our cry
Oh God You are all Love
Provider from up Above

To our hearts You speak
Give us the peace we seek
We long to see Your face
To be with You all our days

May we not forget
From birth 'til our death
All the goodness You showed
And The blessings bestowed

You are our Creator
Our God and our Father
We are forever grateful
May we always be faithful

A Father's Day Reflection

It's Fathers Day! I have mixed feelings celebrating this day. I am joyful because it's the day we fathers are remembered and honored. People approach me and say, "happy father's day Kirbs." I got a lot of emails and facebook messages greeting me for being a dad. I am at the same time missing my own dad. It's my first Father's day without him. He passed away on December 19, 2009. Days like this make me miss him so much. I guess I can't call him long distance by phone anymore, but through direct contact in my prayers. I love you Dad.

This day, we also remember the Father of us all, God the Father. Jesus introduced God to us as a Father. He taught us to pray through the Our Father, "And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come (Luke 11:2)." Jesus also tells us that God the Father gives us the Holy Spirit as His promised gift for those who ask. He exhorts, "What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?" Luke 11:11-13. Jesus also paints the image of God as the father in the story of the Prodigal Son. "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him (Luke 15:20)." Indeed the our Father in heaven is a father who is most holy, most generous, and most forgiving.

We thank our fathers here on earth. Through them, we are able to understand God better as our Father. We also honor the men who stand as father figures for children whose dads are not present while growing up. For our dear priests, who are fathers to so many lost souls that find their way back to Christ through the Church, this is your day too. Happy Father's day!